Obituary of Eileen Edna Barnett

ANDES Eileen Edna Barnett, 92, of Andes, died Saturday, April 26, 2014 at AO Fox Memorial Hospital, Oneonta. She was born on September 11, 1921 in Brooklyn, the daughter of Gladys and Edward Halabi. Eileen grew up living near extended family in Brooklyn where many times she would recall with fondness those happy childhood days with family gatherings. She attended the Park United Presbyterian Church in Bayridge, Brooklyn, where she met her future husband, Aaron Barnett. They married on September 25, 1943, while Aaron was in the Coast Guard during WWII. They enjoyed their 70th wedding anniversary last September. Eileen and Aaron had two children, Robert Edward Barnett of Marietta, GA and Barbara Gail Kiviranna of Delhi, while living in Quonset Huts in Brooklyn that were set up by the government for WWII veterans. After two years, they moved to West Babylon, Long Island. Eileen worked as a secretary to the tax receiver for the Town of Babylon for many years. Eileen taught Sunday school at the First Presbyterian Church of Babylon, where she and Aaron were members. Eileen always loved the country life and Aaron had promised her a farm someday after they were married. They purchased a fixer-upper around 1962. Eileen loved it. It was her favorite place in the world and she constantly talked about the beauty of Delaware County, NY. She was an avid knitter and crocheter. Her work was gorgeous and over the years she has left a legacy of beautiful knitted and crocheted items for her family and friends. There was always music in the house as Eileen enjoyed music of all kinds, especially Tony Bennett. She loved to dance and came very close to being on the Broadway stage, had her father not stopped her. Most important to Eileen was her family. Having family visit was the highlight of her life. Even during the last few years when her health started to decline, seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren made her glow. She is survived by her husband, Aaron Barnett; a son, Robert Barnett and his wife Sharon, of Marietta, GA; her three grandchildren, Blake Barnett and Matthew Barnett of Atlanta, GA, and Whitney Barnett and her husband Brett of Portland, OR. She is also survived by her daughter, Barbara Kiviranna of Delhi; as well as a grandson, Travis Kiviranna and his wife Amy, and her great grandchildren, Aleksander Aaron Kiviranna and Margaret Mae Kiviranna of Burlington, VT; she is also survived by another grandson, Vance Kiviranna, his wife Elisa and a great grandson Arlo of Burlington, VT. Also surviving are her nieces, Linda Halabi and Karen Brown of Virginia Beach, VA. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will take place on Friday, May 2, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Delhi, with Rev. Sarah Hooker officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow. Contributions in her memory are asked to be made to any Veteran's organization of your choosing. Those who wish to share condolences or a special memory may do so on-line at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi, NY.